Official statements from the U.S. Department of Defense or the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen

U.S. Confirms No Military Increase in Greenland Before Trump's Jan. 20 Inauguration

Jan 9, 2025, 11:49 AM

The United States has no current plans to increase its military presence in Greenland, according to the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen. This statement follows President-elect Donald Trump's renewed interest in acquiring the Arctic island, which he described as an 'absolute necessity' for U.S. control ahead of his Jan. 20 inauguration. Trump's comments sparked concern and surprise in Greenland, home to 57,000 people, and Copenhagen, with no ruling out of military or economic actions against Denmark to achieve this goal. The Pentagon also confirmed it has no plans to take Greenland by force, emphasizing ongoing national security concerns elsewhere. Greenland is crucial for the U.S. military, particularly for its ballistic missile early-warning system, with a permanent presence at the Pituffik air base. Denmark has expressed openness to dialogue with the U.S. to safeguard its Arctic interests amid increasing great power rivalry in the region, driven by melting ice and new sea lanes.